Union County, Ohio Biographies Project - Henry Biddle
HENRY BIDDLE
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Prominent among the early farmers of Union was the gentleman whose name
heads this sketch. He was born in England August 27, 1829, and in
1832 emigrated to America, with his parents, Joseph and Maria
(Williams) Biddle, who settled on a farm of 110 acres, south of
Richwood, a part of which is now in the corporation of the
village. His father was a heavy set man, weighing over two
hundred pounds, active and energetic, and before his emigration, had
gained considerable fame as a professional wrestler, which was a
characteristic very much admired at that time in England. He was
a millwright by trade, and built several mills in America, among them
the mill at Richwood. He died in 1856. Henry received a
very limited education and followed the occupation of farming, at the
time of his death being the owner of 180 acres of land. He was
married in 1850 to Eunice Latson, who was born in New York in 1832, of
German and English parentage. Their marriage was blessed with
eight children, viz. : George, who was born in Claibourne Township,
August 10, 1852, and on October 15, 1879, married Ann Lake, a sister of
John Lake, by whom he had two children, Harry and Carrie Bell. He
has been a life-long farmer. The second child, Seneca, is
deceased. The third, Thomas H., was born in this township
December 12, 1856, and is likewise a farmer, Dow owning eighty-three
acres of land. In 1876, he married Lydia A. Hamilton, a daughter
of Benjamin and Abigail (Graham) Hamilton, and a member of the Deciples
Church. They have three children-Maggie, M., Pearl C., and
Florence Abagail. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge
of Richwood. The fourth child, Annie M., is now the wife of M. B.
Hill. The fifth, Emma is deceased. The sixth, Sarah E., now a
resident of Columbus. The seventh died in infancy. The
youngest child, Jennie May, born in 1871, is now attending
school. Mr. Biddle was a charter member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge
at Richwood, and a faithful member of the fraternity until death.
He died December 15, 1877. His widow resides on the old homestead
at Richwood.